Restaurants with no music

I have a friend comming in from out of town, and last time here, we went to Babbo. He complained about the loud music, and after seeing the piece in the Times, that's all he talks about.

I had read an article quoting Thomas Keller saying (before they openned) that he would continue the practice from The French Laundry of "no music". My recollection is that Oceana didn't have any (but I have not been in a while). Also ?Peter Luger?. Can anyone confirm these two or suggest more?

To the best of my recollection, there has been no music at Eleven Madison Park, Tocqueville or Fleur de Sel, all restaurants we've been to a number of times. We've also had dinner at Veritas many times, and there was usually no music. But interestingly, the last time we had dinner there, we had a very early reservation and were the first ones to be seated. They had jazz on at a reasonable volume, but as tables started to fill up, the volume got lower and lower until, once the room was nearly full, they shut the music off.

Gramercy Tavern and Craft have no music. I don't recall hearing any music at any of Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurants, either. A lot of restaurants in Chinatown are musicless. Second Avenue Deli, Petrossian, rm, Toqueville . . . Actually, I *think* there are more restaurants without music than with.

It's been a long time since we had dinner at Union Square Cafe but, come to think of it, I don't recall any music. We've been to Blue Smoke within the past year, and I don't remember any there either although, of course, there is music downstairs at Jazz Standard.

Danny Meyer's new restaurant will be opening soon at MOMA with Gabriel Kreuther, previously of Atelier, heading the kitchen. Hopefully, this will be another addition to the list of places with great food and no music!

It IS easier to find the quiet upscale places. But I do remember being pleased to notice that Gene's on W. 11th Street, was sans nasty sound. (I've been meaning to get back there. Anybody been recently?) Also the recently-shuttered Billy's on 1st Avenue. Wish I could think of more right now. Please keep this post going! We need more relief from annoying disco chucka-chucka and Gypsy Kings!